Anchor unit with spherical surface to permit angular movement



M. E. MILLS Feb. 13, 1962 ANCHOR NUT WITH SPHERICAL SURFACE TO PERMIT ANGULAR MOVEMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 28, 1957 FIGJ FIG.2

INVENTOR MALCOLM E MILLS ATTORNEY Feb. 13, 1962 M. E. MILLS 3,

ANCHOR NUT WITH SPHERICAL SURFACE TO PERMIT ANGULAR MOVEMENT Filed Feb. 28 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR MALCOLM E MILLS ATTORNEY Feb. 13, 1962 M. E. MILLS 3,020,946

ANCHOR NUT WITH SPHERICAL SURFACE TO PERMIT ANGULAR MOVEMENT Filed Feb. 28, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.|3 34 FIG.|4

37 4o 33 32 INVENTOR MALCOLM E MILLS Feb. 13, 1962 M. E. MILLS 3,020,946

ANCHOR NUT WITH SPHERICAL SURFACE TO PERMIT ANGULAR MOVEMENT Filed Feb. 28, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 F|G.l5 43 36 36 55 55 l 36 55 INVENTOR 56% MALCOLM E MILLS ATTORNEY United States Patent ANCHOR NUT WITH SPHERICAL SURFACE TO PERMIT ANGULAR MOVEMENT Malcolm E. Mills, Millburn, N.J., assignor to Elastic Stop Nut Corporation of America, Union, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Feb. 28, 1957, Ser. No. 643,136

10 Claims. (Cl. 151-41.71)

This invention relates to fastening devices and has particular reference to screw threaded fastening devices.

More particularly, the invention relates to that type of fastening device which may be embodied in the form of a so-called gang-channel fastening wherein a plurality of nuts mounted in a common channel are located to receive bolts passing through the sheet or other material to be secured to the structure to which the so-called gang-channel is secured.

In such constructions, requiring the use of a multiplicity of bolts 01 studs, minor misalignment is inevitable and in order to take care of such misalignment various expedients heretofore have been used to permit the individual bolt receiving nuts to float laterally, in order to enable the desired assembly to be made.

However, in addition to lateral misalignment there may also occur angular misalignment and the general object of the present invention is to provide a structure which will enable fastenings to be satisfactorily made, not only from the standpoint of lateral misalignment, but also if the angular alignment is not correct. In other words, the invention contemplates a structure which will compensate for angular misalignment as well as lateral misalignment and for the purposes of the ensuing description, this arrangement will be generally referred to as a swivel arrangement for compensating for angular misalignment, as well as lateral or offset misalignment.

As hereinabove noted, one particular embodiment of the invention is concerned with the use of fastening devices embodied in a so-called gang-channel assembly, but the invention is also applicable in individual anchor nut constructions in which only a single nut is embodied in a fixed casing and in which it can have not only lateral movement to compensate for axial misalignment, but also may have a swivel movement to compensate for angular misalignment of the bolt or stud to be threaded into the nut member.

Further and more detailed objects of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing portion of this specification, descriptive of embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a so-called gang-channel nut assembly embodying the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on the line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the nut element shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a section taken on the line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the base element of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a section taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the clip element of the assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the clip element bent to the dimensions shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a section taken on the line 1111 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a floating anchor nut assembly embodying the principles of the invention;

FIG. 13 is .an elevation of the structure shown in FIG. 12;

' number of bolts or screws which it is desired to use.

3,020,946 Patented Feb. 13, 1962 "ice FIG. 14 is a section taken on the line 14-14 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a vertical elevation, taken from one end, of the structure shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a section taken on the line 16-16 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a base plate of the assembly shown in FIGS. 13 and 14;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the basket element embodied in the arrangement shown in FIGS. 12 to 14;

FIG. 19 is a section taken on the line 19-19 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a section taken on the line 20--20 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the clip member forming part of the assembly shown in FIGS. 12 to 14;

FIGS. 22 and 23 are sections of the clip member shown in FIG. 21.

With continued reference to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 inclusive a gang-channel fastening device constructed in accordance with this invention and which may well include an elongated channel member 10 of any desired length, such channel member 10 having a base or web 11, sidewalls 12 and overhanging inturned edge flanges 13. A plurality of nut assemblies 14- are slidably received within the sidewalls 12 of the channel 10 and are retained in such channel by the overhanging edge flanges 13. The nut assem-- blies 14 are disposed in spaced relationship and any desired number may be employed, depending upon ltllie e nut assemblies 14 are slidable longitudinally of the channel 10 for a limited distance, in order to provide for lateral misalignment with bolts or screws to be received therein and the structure serving to limit the sliding movement of the nut assemblies 14 will be presently described.

Each nut assembly 14 includes a base element 15, a nut element 16 and a clip element 17. As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the base element 15 may well comprise a thimble or ring having an axial bore 18 and provided with an annular flange 19 terminating at the lower edge in a shoulder 20. The flange 19 is formed to provide an upper spherical or arcuate bearing surface 21, the purpose of which will presently appear.

As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the nut element 16 is provided with an axial threaded bore 22 and the nut,

element 16 terminates at the lower edge in a flange 23 terminates at the lower end in a spherical recess 25 which is complementary to the spherical surface 21 on the baseelement 15. As shown in FIG. 5, the flange 23 on the nut element 16 is provided with diametrically disposed outwardly extending cars 26, the purpose of which will presently appear.

Also forming a part of the nut assembly 14 and shown in detail in FIGS. 9, l0 and 11, is a clip element 17 formed of sheet metal of a suitable gauge and the clip element is shown in flat formation prior to bending in FIG. 9 and is provided with a central aperture 27 and with generally U-shaped slots 28 in each end thereof. The clip element 17 is bent to the formation shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 to provide a web portion 29 having the aperture 27 and side flanges 30 having the slots 28.

As best shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the base element 15 is positioned within the channel member 10 with the base member 15 in engagement with the bottom wall or web 11 of the channel member 10 and the nut element 16 is positioned substantially axially of the base element 15 with the surface of the spherical recess 25 in the nutelement 16 engaging the spherical bearing surface 21 on the flange 19 of the base element 15. The clip element 17 is positioned over the nut element 16 with the edge of the aperture 27 in the clip element 17 engaging the outwardly and downwardly inclined upper surface 24 of the flange 23 on the nut element 16 and with the flanges 30 of the clip element 17 disposed on opposite sides of the nut element 16 and base element 15 and with the ears 26 on the nut element 16 extending through the slots 28 in the clip element 17.

As will be seen from an inspection of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the nut element 16 may rotate a limited distance determined by the clearance of the ears 26 in the slots 28 of the clip element 17 and also the nut element 16 may rock or move angularly on the spherical bearing surface 21 of the base element 15 to change the angular alignment of the axis of the threaded bore 22 in the nut element 16. Also the entire nut assembly 14, including the base element 15, the nut element 16 and the clip element 17 may slide longitudinally in the channel member to correct for lateral misalignment of the threaded bore 22 in nut element 16.

Since it is desired to limit longitudinal sliding movement of the nut assemblies 14 in the channel member 19, there may be provided for this purpose in the bottom wall or web 11 of the channel member It struck up tabs 31, there being one such tab provided on opposite sides of each nut assembly 14, which tabs are spaced the desired distance from the flanges 3d of the clip member 17, in order to limit longitudinal sliding movement of the nut assembly to the space between the tabs 31. It is to be understood, that as shown in FIG. 1, at least one pair of tabs 31 is provided for each nut assembly 14.

It will, therefore, be seen that by the above described form of the invention there has been provided a gang-channel fastening device which will serve to compensate for lateral misalignment of bolts or studs and to also compensate for angular misalignment of the axes of such bolts or studs. Any desired number of nut assemblies may be provided in the channel member in order to accommodate the desired number of bolts or studs and the device is applied and utilized in the same manner as conventional gang-channel fastening devices.

A single or anchor nut assembly constructed in accordance with this invention and designed to compensate for lateral, as well as angular misalignment is shown in FIGS. 12 to 23 and this form of the invention may well include a base plate 32, a base element 33, a nut element 34, a basket element 35 and a clip element 36.

As best shown in FIG. 17, the base plate 32 is elongated and generally rectangular in configuration, this plate being provided in the central portion with an aperture 37 and adjacent the opposite ends with fastening holes 38. Also provided on opposite edges of the base plate 32 are bendable tabs 39, the purpose of which will be presently described.

Disposed on the base plate 32 is the base element 33 which comprises a thimble or sleeve-like member having a longitudinal bore 40 disposed substantially in alignment with the aperture 37 in the base plate 32 and the base element 33 is provided with an annular flange 41 formed at the upper side to provide a spherical or arcuate bearing surface 42. The nut element 34 is provided with an axial threaded bore 43 and the nut element 34 terminates at the lower portion thereof in an outwardly and downwardly extending flange 44 having diametrically disposed outwardly extending cars 45. The threaded bore 43 in the nut element 34 terminates at the lower end in a spherical or arcuate recess 46 complementary to the arcuate or spherical surface 42 on the base element 33 and as shown in FIG. 14, the nut element 34 is disposed with the threaded bore 43 therein substantially in alignment with the bore 40 of the base element 33 and the nut element 34 is supported by engagement of the spherical surface 42 on the base element 33 with the spherical recess 46 of the nut element 34.

As shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, the basket element 35 is of generally U-shaped formation with outwardly extending oppositely disposed ears 47 provided with apertures 48 and upwardly extending spaced legs 49 terminating at their upper ends in a web or central portion 50 having a central aperture 51 surrounded by an upwardly extending collar 52. Provided in the spaced legs 49 are slots 53, the purpose of which will presently appear.

As best shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, the clip member 36 is formed of sheet metal of suitable gauge and is of generally rectangular construction having a central aperture 54, upwardly extending oppositely disposed lugs 55 on opposite side edges of the clip member 36 and downwardly extending oppositely disposed flanges 56 on the other side edges of the clip member 36. The clip member 36 reinforces the basket element 35 and provides additional strength for resisting upward movement of the nut element 34 with respect to the basket element 35 upon initial engagement of a bolt with the nut element 34.

As shown in FIGS. 12 to 16, the base element 33 is positioned on the base plate 32 with the bore 40 in the base element 33 in substantial alignment with the aperture 37 in the base plate 32 and the nut element 34 is disposed on the base element 33 with the threaded bore 43 substantially in alignment with the bore 40 in the base element 33 and the aperture 37 in the base plate 32. The clip element 36 is positioned over the nut element 34 with the flanges 56 extending downwardly and in engagement with the upper surface of the downwardly and outwardly extending flange 44 on the nut element 34 and with the lugs 55 on the clip element 36 extending upwardly. The basket element 35 is positioned over the entire assembly with the ears 47 of the basket element 35 engaging the upper surface of the base plate 32 and with the apertures 48 substantially in alignment with the holes 38 in the base plate 32. The diametrically disposed ears 45 on the nut element 34 extend through the slots, 53 in the legs 49 of the basket element 35 and the upwardly extending lugs 55 on the clip element 36 engage the side edges 57 of the central portion 50 of the basket element 35, as best shown in FIGS. 13 and 16. In order to secure the assembly together as a unit, the bendable tabs 39 on the base plate 32 are bent upwardly and over the ears 47 on the basket element 35, as best shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 15 and as a result thereof, the device provides a complete unitary assembly which may be conveniently attached to any desired structure by studs or other screw threaded fastening means extending through the apertures 48 in the basket element 35 and the holes 38 in the base plate 32.

The oppositely extending cars 45 on the nut element 34 extending through the slots 53 in the legs 49 of the basket element 35 prevent rotation of the nut element 34, but at the same time, permit lateral shifting of the nut element 34 and base element 33 and also permit angular movement of the nut element 34 with relation to the base element 33 in order to compensate for angular misalignment of the axis of the stud or other screw threaded fastening means engaging the nut 34.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A gang-channel fastening device comprising in com. bination an elongated channel member having a web, sidewalls, inturned overhanging edge flanges on said sidewalls and a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures in said web, a plurality of nut assemblies disposed in said channel member for longitudinal sliding movement, each assembly being substantially in alignment with an aperture in said web and comprising a base element with the lower end engaging the inner surface of said web. an axial bore in said base element, an annular flange on said base element providing an upwardly facing convex spherical bearing surface, a nut element having an axial threaded bore, said threaded bore terminating at the lower end in a downwardly opening recess having a concave spherical surface engaging said bearing surface to support said nut element thereon and permit angular movement of said nut element with respect to said base element, an annular flange on said nut element having an outwardly and downwardly inclined upper surface, diametrically disposed outwardly extending ears on said last named flange, a clip element for retaining said nut element and said base element in said channel member and for preventing rotation of said nut element with respect to said channel member, said clip element comprising a generally rectangular web portion, downwardly extending flanges on opposite end edges of said Web portion, an aperture in said web portion of less diameter than the annular flange on said nut element but of greater diameter than said nut element above the annular flange thereon and vertical slots in said downwardly extending flanges, whereby with said clip element disposed in said channel member below said inturned flanges with the portion of said nut element above the annular flange thereon projecting through the aperture in said clip element and with said ears received in said slots, said nut element and said base element will be retained in said channel member with said nut element retained against rotation with respect to said channel member but permitting angular movement of said nut element with respect to said base element and channel member and upwardly projecting tabs on the web of said channel member spaced from the flanges on said clip member to limit longitudinal movement of said nut assembly in said channel member.

2. A gang-channel fastening device comprising in combination an elongated channel member having a web, sidewalls, inturned overhanging edge flanges on said sidewalls and a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures in said web, a plurality of nut assemblies disposed in said channel member for longitudinal sliding movement, each assembly being substantially in alignment with an aperture in said web and comprising a base element with the lower end engaging the inner surface of said web, an axial bore in said base element, an annular flange on said base element providing an upwardly facing convex spherical bearing surface, a nut element having an axial threaded bore, said threaded bore terminating at the lower end in a downwardly opening recess having a concave spherical surface engaging said bearing surface to support said nut element thereon and permit angular movement of said nut element with respect to said base element, an annular flange on said nut element having an outwardly and downwardly inclined upper surface, diametrically disposed outwardly extending ears on said last named flange, a clip element for retaining said nut element and said base element in said channel member and for preventing rotation of said nut element with respect to said channel member, said clip element comprising a generally rectangular web portion, downwardly extending flanges on opposite end edges of said web portion, an aperture in said web portion of less diameter than the annular flange on said nut element but of greater diameter than said nut element above the annular flange thereon and vertical slots in said downwardly extending flanges, whereby with said clip element disposed in said channel member below said inturned flanges with the portion of said nut element above said annular flange thereon projecting through the aperture in said clip element and with said ears received in said slots, said nut element and said base element will be retained in said channel member with said nut element retained against rotation with respect to said channel member but permitting angular movement of said nut element with respect to said base element and channel member and means on said channel member spaced from the flanges on said clip member to limit longitudinal movement of said nut assembly in said channel member- 3. A gang-channel fastening device comprising in combination an elongated channel member having a web, sidewalls, inturned overhanging edge flanges on said sidewalls and a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures in said web, a plurality of nut assemblies disposed in said channel member for longitudinal sliding movement, each assembly being substantially in alignment with an aperture in said web and comprising a base element with the lower end engaging the inner surface of said web, an axial bore in said base element, an upwardly facing convex spherical bearing surface on said base element, a nut element having an axial threaded bore, said threaded bore terminating at the lower end in a downwardly opening recess having a concave spherical surface engaging said bearing surface to support said nut element thereon and permit angular movement of said nut element with respect to said base element, an annular flange on said nut element having an outwardly and downwarddly inclined upper surface, diametrically disposed outwardly extending ears on said last named flange, a clip element for retaining said nut element and said base element in said channel member and for preventing rotation of said nut element with respect to said channel member, said clip element comprising a generally rectangular web portion, downwardly extending flanges on opposite end edges of said web portion, an aperture in said web portion of less diameter than the annular flange on said nut element but of greater diameter than said nut element above the annular flange thereon and vertical slots in said downwardly extending flanges, whereby with said clip element disposed in said channel member below said inturned flanges with the portion of said nut element above the annular flange thereon projecting through the aperture in said clip element and with said ears received in said slots, said nut element and said base element will be retained in said channel member with said nut element retained against rotation with respect to said channel member but permitting angular movement of said nut element with respect to said base element and channel member and means on said channel member spaced from the flanges on said clip member to limit longitudinal movement of said nut assembly in said channel member.

4. A gang channel fastening device comprising in combination an elongated channel member having a web, sidewalls, inturned overhanging edge flanges on said sidewalls and a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures in said web, a plurality of nut assemblies disposed in said channel member for longitudinal sliding movement, each assembly being substantially in alignment with an aperture in said web and comprising a base element with the lower end engaging the inner surface of said web, an axial bore in said base element, an upwardly facing convex spherical bearing surface on said base element, a nut element having an axial threaded bore, said threaded bore terminating at the lower end in a downwardly opening recess having a concave spherical surface engaging said bearing surface to support said nut element thereon and permit angular movement of said nut element with respect to said base element, an annular flange on said nut element, diametrically disposed outwardly extending ears on said last named flange, a clip element for retaining said nut element and said base element in said channel member and for preventing rotation of said nut element with respect to said channel member, said clip element comprising a generally rectangular web portion, downwardly extending flanges on opposite end edges of said web portion, an aperture in said web portion of less diameter than the annular flange on said nut element but of greater diameter than said nut element above the annular flange thereon and vertical slots in said downwardly extending flanges, whereby with said clip element disposed in said channel member below said inturned flanges with the portion of said nut element above the annular flange thereon projecting through the aperture in said clip element and with said ears received in said slots, said nut element and said base element will be retained in said channel member with said nut element retained against rotation with respect to said channel member but permitting angular movement of said nut element with respect to said base element and channel member and means on said channel member spaced from the flanges on said clip member to limit longitudinal movement of said nut assembly in said channel member.

5. A gang-channel fastening device comprising in combination an elongated channel member having a web, sidewalls and a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures in said web, a plurality of nut assemblies disposed in said channel member for longitudinal sliding movement, each assembly being substantially in alignment with an aperture in said web and comprising a base element with the lower end engaging the inner surface of said web, an axial bore in said base element, an upwardly facing convex spherical bearing surface on said base element, a nut element having an axially threaded bore, said threaded bore terminating at the lower end in a downwardly opening recess having a concave spherical surface engaging said bearing surface to support said nut element thereon and permit angular movement of said nut element with respect to said base element, an annular flange on said nut element, diametrically disposed outwardly extending ears on said flange, a clip element for retaining said nut element and said base element in said channel member and for pre* venting rotation of said nut element with respect to said channel member, said clip element comprising a generally rectangular web portion, downwardly extending flanges on opposite end edges of said web portion, an aperture in said web portion of less diameter than the annular flange on said nut element but of greater diameter than said nut element above the annular flange thereon and slots in said downwardly extending flanges, whereby with said clip element disposed in said channel member with the portion of said nut element above the annular flange thereon projecting through the aperture in said clip element and with said ears received in said slots, said nut element will be retained against rotation with respect to said channel member but permitting angular movement of said nut element with respect to said base element and said channel member, means on said channel member engaging said clip member to retain said nut assembly in said channel member and means on said channel member spaced from the flanges on said clip member to limit longitudinal movement of said nut assembly in said channel member.

6. An anchor nut assembly comprising a generally rectangular base plate having a central aperture, fastening holes adjacent opposite ends and bendable tabs on opposite edges, a base element having an axial bore and with the lower end engaging the upper surface of said base plate, an annular flange on said base element providing an upwardly facing convex spherical bearing surface, a nut element having an axial threaded bore, said threaded bore terminating at the lower end in a downwardly opening recess having a concave spherical surface engaging said bearing surface to support said nut element thereon and permit angular movement of said nut element with respect to said base element, an annular flange on said nut element having an outwardly and downwardly inclined upper surface, diametrically disposed outwardly extending ears on said last named flange, a basket element for retaining said nut element and said base element on said base plate and for preventing rotation of said nut element with respect to said base plate, said basket element comprising a generally U-shaped member having a central web portion, downwardly extending spaced legs on the opposite ends of said web portion, outwardly projecting ears on the lower ends of said legs engaging the upper surface of said base plate, apertures in said last named ears in alignment with the holes in said base plate, said tabs serving to secure said basket element to said base plate,

an aperture in said web portion for loosely receiving the upper portion of said nut element, slots in said legs for receiving the ears on said nut element to prevent rotation of said nut element with respect to said basket element and said base plate and a clip member received over the upper portion of said nut element between said web and the inclined upper surface on said nut element, said clip member having edge lugs engaging the side edges of said web to prevent rotation of said clip member with respect to said basket element.

7. An anchor nut assembly comprising a generally rectangular base plate having a central aperture, fastening holes adjacent opposite ends and bendable tabs on opposite edges, a base element having an axial bore and with the lower end engaging the upper surface of said base plate, an annular flange on said base element providing an upwardly convex facing spherical bearing surface, a nut element having an axially threaded bore, said threaded bore terminating at the lower end in a downwardly opening recess having a concave spherical surface engaging said bearing surface to support said nut element thereon and permit angular movement of said nut element with respect to said base element, an annular flange on said nut element having an outwardly and downwardly inclined upper surface, diametrically disposed outwardly extending ears on said last named flange, a basket element for retaining said nut element and said base element on said base plate and for preventing rotation of said nut element with respect to said base plate, said basket element comprising a generally U-shaped member having a central web portion, downwardly extending spaced legs on the opposite ends of said web portion, outwardly projecting ears on the lower ends of said legs engaging the upper surface of said base plate, apertures in said last named ears in alignment with the holes in said base plate, said tabs serving to secure said basket element to said base plate, an aperture in said web portion for loosely receiving the upper portion of said nut element and slots in said legs for receiving the ears on said nut element to prevent rotation of said nut element with respect to said basket element and said base plate.

8. An anchor nut assembly comprising a generally rectangular base plate having a central aperture, fastening holes adjacent opposite ends and bendable tabs on opposite edges, a base element having an axial bore and with the lower end en aging the upper surface of said base plate, an upwardly facing convex spherical bearing surface on said base element, a nut element having an axially threaded bore, said threaded bore terminating at the lower end in a downwardly opening recess having a concave spherical surface engaging said bearing surface to support said nut element thereon and permit angular movement of said nut element with respect to said base element, an annular flange on said nut element having an outwardly and downwardly inclined upper surface, diametrically disposed outwardly extending ears on said flange, a basket element for retaining said nut element and base element on said base plate and for preventing rotation of said nut element with respect to said base plate, said basket element comprising a generally U-shaped member having a central web portion, downwardly extending spaced legs on the opposite ends of said web portion, outwardly projecting ears on the lower ends of said legs engaging the upper surface of said base plate, apertures in said last named ears in alignment with the holes in said base plate, said tabs serving to secure said basket element to said base plate, an aperture in said web portion for loosely receiving the upper portion of said nut element and slots in said legs for receiving the ears on said nut element to prevent rotation of said nut element with respect to said basket element and base plate.

9. An anchor nut assembly comprising a generally rectangular base plate having a central aperture, fastening holes adjacent opposite ends and bendable tabs on opposite edges, a base element having an axial bore and with the lower end engaging the upper surface of said base plate, an upwardly facing convex spherical bearing surface on said base element, a nut element having an axially threaded bore, said threaded bore terminating at the lower end in a downwardly opening recess having a concave spherical surface engaging said bearing surface to support said nut element thereon and permit angular movement of said nut element with respect to said base element, an annular flange on said nut element, diametrically disposed outwardly extending ears on said flange, a basket element for retaining said nut element and said base ele ment on said base plate and for preventing rotation of said nut element with respect to said base plate, said basket element comprising a generally U-shaped member having a central web portion, downwardly extending spaced legs on the opposite ends of said web portion, outwardly projecting ears on the lower ends of said legs engaging the upper surface of said base plate, apertures in said last named ears in alignment with the holes in said base plate, said tabs serving to secure said basket element to said base plate, an aperture in said web portion for loosely receiving the upper portion of said nut element and slots in said legs for receiving the ears on said nut element to prevent rotation of said nut element with respect to said basket element and base plate.

10. An anchor nut assembly comprising a generally rectangular base plate having a central aperture, fastening holes adjacent opposite ends and bendable tabs on opposite edges, a base element having an axial bore and with the lower end engaging the upper surface of said base plate, an upwardly facing convex spherical bearing surface on said base element, a nut element having an axial threaded bore, said threaded bore terminating at the lower end in a downwardly opening recess having a concave spherical surface engaging said bearing surface to support said nut element thereon and permit angular movement of said nut element with respect to said base element, an annular flange on said nut elenient, diametrically disposed outwardly extending ears' on said flange, a basket element for retaining said nut element and base element on said base plate and for preventing rotation of said nut element with respect to said base plate, said basket element comprising a gen erally U-shaped member having a central web portion, downwardly extending spaced legs on the opposite ends of said web portion, outwardly projecting ears on the lower ends of said legs engaging the upper surface of said base plate, said tabs serving to secure said basket element to said base plate, an aperture in said web portion for loosely receiving the upper portion of said nut element and slots in said legs for receiving the ears on said nut element to prevent rotation of said nut element with respect to said basket element and said base plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Mar. 10, 

